Washer-Dryer Lock Mounting Without Screws or Front Wall Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washer/dryer lock mounting methods require additional fixing elements like screws, increasing material and labor costs, and are inflexible regarding port configuration changes, which can necessitate changes to the front wall dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A lock system where a body with an extension is positioned behind the front wall, using a connection member with a port and housing to secure the lock without screws, allowing for easy mounting and aesthetic closure of the hole, utilizing slides and a detent mechanism for stability, and incorporating a rotatable latch with a spring for locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock is mounted using screws to fix the lock port to the front wall, then the mounting is secure and reliable, but the material cost and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the screws from the mounting system. The lock port is designed with an integrated mounting structure that directly engages with the front wall, removing the need for separate fixing elements. This reduces both material cost (no screws needed) and labor cost (simpler installation process) while maintaining secure mounting through the engineered engagement structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function is merged into the lock port structure itself. The lock port incorporates mounting features directly into its body, combining the locking mechanism and mounting structure into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate screws and simplifies the assembly process.
2Ease of manufacture
If the opening on the front wall is made to match the lock port dimensions, then the lock can be mounted, but any change in port configuration requires changing the front wall
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the lock assembly into a modular design where the lock port is a separate, interchangeable component. The front wall contains a standardized opening, while the lock port (with varying configurations) is mounted separately. This allows different lock port configurations to be used with the same front wall, providing flexibility without requiring front wall modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The front wall opening is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate different lock port configurations. The standardized opening serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support, defines the mounting location, and interfaces with various lock port designs. This universal interface allows the system to adapt to different locking mechanism requirements without modifying the front wall.
3Shape
If the connection member is made wider than the hole and extension, then the hole and extension are closed for aesthetic appearance, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural mounting support, closes the opening for aesthetic purposes, and serves as the interface for the lock port. By merging these functions, the design achieves aesthetic appeal without significantly increasing complexity, as the connection member is an integral part of the mounting structure rather than an additional decorative element.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and cost-effective mounting of the lock to the front wall without additional fixing elements, maintaining aesthetic appeal and ensuring secure operation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that the latch compresses by its movement
Implementation Method 2
the detent means leaps over the pushing surface and the detent means, which is disposed aligned with the recess, on the body just behind the pushing surface in the sliding direction, becomes free and is placed into the recess
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washer/dryer (1) comprising two side walls (2) closing the volume from sides wherein the drum, in which the laundry is placed, and other elements are located, a front wall (3) closing the said volume from the front, an opening (4) which is disposed on the front wall (3) and enables the laundry to be placed in the drum, a lid (5) covering the opening (4), a lock (6) disposed on the front wall (3), a tenon (7) which is disposed on the lid (5) and provides the lid (5) to remain in the closed position by being placed into the lock (6) and a hole (8) disposed on the front wall (3), behind which the lock (6) is placed and which enables the tenon (7) to reach the lock (6).